Case Of The Month | March 2025

Case of the Month
March 24, 2025

The Case

The Case:

The patient was a 47-year-old man who complained of blurred vision in the left eye for about one month. His past ophthalmic history was otherwise unremarkable. His past medical history was remarkable for small cell lung cancer diagnosed two years previously for which had been receiving chemotherapy. He said that he had been coughing violently, and he had thrombocytopenia with a platelet count as low as 2000.

The visual acuity was 20/30 OD and 20/400 OS. Anterior segment examination was remarkable for a mild cataract in each eye. Posterior segment examination was remarkable only for the changes visible on the fundus photograph provided.

What was the most likely diagnosis? What treatment, if any, would you recommend?

Answer:

The fundus photograph of the right eye was unremarkable, and the fundus photograph of the left eye revealed a central superficial hemorrhage. OCT showed subhyaloid reflective material with associated shadowing. The findings were consistent with Valsalva retinopathy, which happens when one performs a Valsalva maneuver. This involves holding the breath and straining against a closed glottis. The sudden increase in the pressure in the chest and abdomen can lead to capillary rupture in the eye. Our patient, who had a low platelet count and who had been coughing, was at significant risk of Valsalva retinopathy.

A large preretinal hemorrhage can require treatment with the Nd:YAG laser to punch a hole in the posterior hyaloid or surgical intervention. For our patient, who had a small hemorrhage that would likely clear spontaneously, observation was recommended.

Case Photos

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Answer:

The fundus photograph of the right eye was unremarkable, and the fundus photograph of the left eye revealed a central superficial hemorrhage. OCT showed subhyaloid reflective material with associated shadowing. The findings were consistent with Valsalva retinopathy, which happens when one performs a Valsalva maneuver. This involves holding the breath and straining against a closed glottis. The sudden increase in the pressure in the chest and abdomen can lead to capillary rupture in the eye. Our patient, who had a low platelet count and who had been coughing, was at significant risk of Valsalva retinopathy.

A large preretinal hemorrhage can require treatment with the Nd:YAG laser to punch a hole in the posterior hyaloid or surgical intervention. For our patient, who had a small hemorrhage that would likely clear spontaneously, observation was recommended.

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